As of the 2010 Census, the population was 501,226, reflecting an increase of 12,177 (+2.5%) from the 489,049 counted in the 2000 Census, retaining its position as the state's ninth-most populous county. As of 2014, the county's Census-estimated population was 508,856, Its county seat is Paterson.
For other persons named Neil Young, see Neil Young (disambiguation). Neil Percival Young, OC OM (born November 12, 1945), is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, producer, director and screenwriter. Young began performing in a group covering Shadows instrumentals in Canada in 1960.
After the end of World War II, Neil and his parents returned to Brooklyn. He was given a $9 acoustic guitar for a birthday gift, which began his interest in music. At age 15 Neil wrote his first song, which he titled Here Them Bells. At Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School, Neil sang in the 100-member fixed chorus, with classmate Barbra Streisand, although the two would not formally meet until over 20 years later.